Itinerary
- Day 1
Palermo to Milazzo
You'll leave Palermo early and drive along the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, taking in the scenery as you head toward Castelbuono in the mountains. This small town gives you a feel for inland Sicily before you continue to Cefalù, a coastal spot known for its Norman cathedral that's on the UNESCO list. From there, it's on to Tindari where you can visit the Sanctuary to see the Black Madonna and check out the ancient Greek ruins nearby. By evening you'll arrive in Milazzo, which sits on a peninsula with views toward the Aeolian Islands.
Optional Activities
- Explore Castelbuono's ancient walls and castle
- Visit Cefalù's Norman cathedral and historic center
- Visit Tindari Sanctuary of the Black Madonna
- Explore ancient Greek polis ruins near Tindari
Landmarks/POIs Castelbuono Cefalù Norman Cathedral Tindari Sanctuary Milazzo - Day 2
Aeolian Islands to Taormina
This morning you'll take a hydrofoil from Milazzo to Vulcano island, where you can see active fumaroles and try the famous sulfurous hot springs and mud baths. Later the boat heads to Lipari, the biggest of the Aeolian Islands, and you'll walk through its historic center and visit the castle. After returning to Milazzo by hydrofoil, you'll drive to Taormina and arrive by evening with dinner waiting for you.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Hydrofoil boat ride to Vulcano
- Visit Vulcano's hot water beaches and sulfurous hot springs
- Hydrofoil boat ride to Lipari
- Explore Lipari's historic center and castle
Optional Activities
- Mud bath treatment at Vulcano hot springs
Landmarks/POIs Vulcano Island Lipari Island Taormina - Day 3
Taormina to Palermo
Start the day at Giardini Naxos, where Greeks first settled in Sicily, then make your way up to Taormina's old town to see the Greek Theater. Next you'll drive inland to visit the Roman Villa of Casale, a UNESCO site with 4th-century mosaics that are well preserved and really worth the time. From there it's a drive through Sicily's mountainous interior heading back to Palermo, where you'll arrive by end of day and have dinner included.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Giardini Naxos beach and promenade
- Explore Taormina's old town
- Visit Taormina's Greek Theater
- Guided tour of Roman Villa of Casale with admission included
Landmarks/POIs Giardini Naxos Taormina Greek Theater Roman Villa of Casale - Day 4
Palermo
You'll take a guided tour of Palermo with a local guide who can walk you through the cathedral with its mix of architectural styles and royal tombs, then head to Palazzo dei Normanni to see the fountains, markets, and gardens. After that, you'll drive to Monreale cathedral to see the famous golden mosaics covering the interior. The afternoon is yours to wander around and explore Palermo however you'd like.
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Palermo with local expert
- Visit Palermo Cathedral with admission included
- Visit Palazzo dei Normanni
- Visit Monreale Cathedral with admission included
Landmarks/POIs Palermo Cathedral Palazzo dei Normanni Monreale Cathedral
